5 Proven Ways to Be Successful on Instagram

What are the real keys to Instagram success for your travel blog? It's not just about likes and followers—find out what truly matters.

With over 2 billion users worldwide, Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms. Most people use it to stay in touch with friends, share snippets of their lives, and yes, sometimes just to kill time. But as a content creator, once you dive deep into your niche, you’ll notice your feed gets taken over by accounts similar to yours. This is actually one of Instagram’s goals—connecting like-minded people.

But here’s the catch: seeing all these accounts can make you feel like everyone’s doing it better than you. It’s easy to forget that content creation is a long game, and everyone’s path is different. Here’s what you should do to get popular on Instagram—and why I’ve decided to take my own route.

1. What Statistics Actually Matter on Instagram

Let’s start with the basics. Instagram's main purpose is to connect people, and the content that gets the most shares is the content Instagram pushes to more people. Relatability is the magic ingredient. Think about the posts you share the most—they’re usually funny, insightful, or reflect something we all secretly think. For example, if you make a clever post about how much you hate YouTube ads, you’re almost guaranteed to see it take off because everyone hates those ads.

Pro Tip: It’s not always about likes or comments. Shares and saves are actually more important. If people find your content share-worthy, Instagram notices.

2. Find Your Niche (or Own Your Location)

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “It’s better to be a big fish in a small pond.” That’s true for social media too. If you’re an expert in something niche, or if you’re the go-to person in a certain location (like "Tim | Berlin Photographer"), you’re more likely to get discovered. Instagram’s search function (SEO) works best when your profile makes it clear what you do and where you do it.

Consistency is also key here. Once you’ve found your lane, stick to it. If you’re a travel photographer, avoid throwing in random memes or personal rants, as it could confuse your audience. People follow you for a reason—give them what they signed up for.

3. Be Human, Not a Brand

Here’s a fun fact: people are 10% more likely to engage with a smiling face than with a neutral one. This also explains why logos and abstract illustrations just don’t connect the same way personal photos do. Showing you—your personality, your quirks—builds a stronger connection. People are more likely to follow someone they feel they know.

This is why smaller accounts (with around 10K followers) often have better engagement than larger ones. The stats back it up: brands with fewer than 10K followers see higher conversion rates than those with hundreds of thousands. It's all about fostering a real connection.

4. Use ALL the Instagram Features

Instagram offers so many ways to share content—single photos, carousels, Reels, Stories, direct messages, live videos—the list goes on. And while some believe Instagram rewards users who take advantage of all these features, the truth is more nuanced. People consume content in different ways. Some prefer scrolling through photos, others love watching Reels, and many stick to Stories at the top of their feed.

The more places people can find you, the more likely they are to interact. And just like binge-watching your favourite TV show, your loyal followers will look forward to seeing your content regularly. The more often they see you, the more likely they are to engage.

5. Be Unique (Without Trying Too Hard)

I know, I know—"Be yourself" is the most overused advice ever. But it’s true. As a photographer, I see the same landscapes of Bali or the Dolomites over and over again. Even if I add my own twist, it can feel like the same old thing.

The trick? Don’t just show the final product—show the journey. If landscape photography is your thing, share the ups and downs of getting that perfect shot. People love seeing the real side of things—the hard parts, the failures, and the moments when it all comes together. This helps build an emotional connection that a perfectly filtered photo can’t.

So, Why Don’t I Follow These Tips?

Running a successful Instagram account is hard work. Before you dive in, ask yourself: why are you doing this? If it’s for fame or money, I wish you luck—because it’s going to be tough to stick with it when things get hard. For me, my purpose is simple: I just want to share the things I love and create.

Growing up, I didn’t have many friends who were into the same things as me. Even now, not many people in my real life get what I do for a living. But thanks to Instagram, I’ve connected with people who share my passions. Most of these relationships are online, but they’re meaningful. I’ve learned so much from these people and have been able to share what I know with them too.

I don’t care about getting millions of views. Sure, I’ve had posts that went viral—one video hit a few million views, and I gained thousands of followers in a week. But you know what? Not one person messaged me. Meanwhile, my smaller posts with just a couple hundred likes bring in daily messages, real conversations, and actual connections. I’ve sold guides and received tons of positive feedback, not because I’m chasing virality but because I’m being myself.

At the end of the day, being successful on Instagram comes down to what success means to you. Do you want the big numbers, or do you want real engagement? For me, it’s the connections I’ve made and the people I’ve inspired. And that, to me, is worth more than any viral post.